Master of Nine Stars

Although Rong Taotao was exceptionally talented, he unfortunately failed to produce a miracle.

The distance from Songjiang Soul City to Hundred Corps Pass was about 50 kilometers. With Snow Night Shock galloping at full speed, the teacher and his two students arrived in less than an hour.

But even by the time they reached the massive city gate, Rong Taotao still hadn’t managed to learn the Soul Skill: Ice Path out of thin air.

Entering the pass this time was much more difficult than the last. The soldiers only let the teacher and students in after a strict inspection.

"Heh..." Rong Taotao exhaled a puff of white mist, taking in a familiar sight once again.

Within the high walls, there was no howling wind; thick snowflakes just fluttered down.

In the pitch-black night, the ancient city seemed incredibly serene. It was dotted with specks of light, which, under the glow of Luminous Lantern Paper Cages, gave it a quaint and classical charm.

He wondered... what kind of terrifying battle had Hundred Corps Pass experienced on that night a month ago?

This time, Xia Fangran didn’t let the students go off on their own. Instead, he took Rong Taotao to the stables to board his Snow Night Shock, then led the two of them to the dormitory building.

Rong Taotao was initially quite happy, thinking he could get a good night’s sleep. He never expected that Xia Fangran had only brought him here to change clothes...

Ten minutes later, Rong Taotao emerged in military attire. He was surprised. ’How could Gao Lingwei, a girl, change so quickly?’

Seeing Gao Lingwei in her snow camouflage and heavy military boots, looking so dashing and heroic, Rong Taotao didn’t have much of a reaction. After all... she wore the same outfit at school.

The cold of the Snow Realm really limited a girl’s fashion choices.

They were in the prime of their youth, yet they couldn’t even wear pretty clothes.

’Rong Taotao was already secretly picturing Gao Lingwei in a dress. A white dress, a red one... Huh?’

’He suddenly realized Gao Lingwei would be perfect for a historical drama. If she wore a red cape and rode on Snow Night Shock, the image of her cloak and long hair flying in the wind... it would be absolutely, breathtakingly beautiful!’

"SMACK." Xia Fangran lightly slapped the back of Rong Taotao’s head. "Kid, I’m talking to you."

"Huh?" Rong Taotao quickly snapped back to reality. "What’s up?"

’This damn teacher is interrupting me while I’m admiring my girlfriend.’

In front of the dormitory entrance, Xia Fangran pointed at the four large, snow-camo military packs at his feet. "One pack is the candy I brought you. The other three are supplies issued by the Snow Burning Army. How are you two going to carry them?"

"Uh?" Rong Taotao scratched his head. He was starting to get it. Xia Fangran had no intention of carrying a pack himself.

’With four packs stuffed this full, forget about fighting; just walking would be a problem.’

Gao Lingwei suddenly spoke up, "Coach Xia, am I allowed to use my Lifebound Soul Beast during this training exercise? Should I go to the supply depot and ask for a pack saddle?"

Xia Fangran thought for a moment, a look of displeasure on his face. "Since it’s your Lifebound Soul Beast, it’s part of your strength, so of course you can use it. But I don’t want you to."

Gao Lingwei: "..."

At this point, Xia Fangran decided to just lay his cards on the table. "Rong Taotao, you figure it out. Carry all four packs by yourself. Let’s go."

As he said this, Xia Fangran beckoned for Gao Lingwei to follow and started walking ahead.

Rong Taotao: ???

"Xia Yinyang! This is just bullying!"

Xia Fangran: "Training your stamina is part of cultivation. Growing by enduring humiliation while shouldering a heavy burden is part of cultivating your mind."

’Enduring humiliation while shouldering a heavy burden?’

’Aren’t you clever!’

’What a perfect phrase. "Enduring humiliation" and "shouldering a heavy burden." Absolutely brilliant!’

With a troubled expression, Rong Taotao looked at the four huge packs. He grabbed the straps, two packs in each hand, and hurried to catch up.

’Good grief! I mean, seriously!’

’If Coach Xia makes me hold my arms out straight, this will turn into a Shaolin Monk’s daily training routine.’

By the time the trio walked from the dormitory to the North Gate, Rong Taotao’s arms were already aching.

Rong Taotao was a martial artist, and a very diligent one at that, so in terms of physical stamina, he was quite outstanding among his peers. But these packs were just too heavy. He figured it wouldn’t be long before he’d have to start dragging them on the ground.

"CLANK, CLANK..."

The huge city gate opened, and a blast of cold wind, carrying frost and snow, WHOOSHED in through the gap.

Xia Fangran took the lead, heading out against the wind and snow.

Rong Taotao cursed silently, struggling to move forward. Gao Lingwei seemed to notice something; she fell back a step, her body shielding him from some of the wind and snow.

"Have you ever fought in a battle when your arms were trembling so much you couldn’t even hold your Heaven-piercing Halberd?" Xia Fangran’s voice came from ahead.

"CLANK!"

The massive, heavy gate slammed shut, plunging the trio into darkness. The flaming torches on the high walls provided them with barely any light.

Hearing Xia Fangran’s question, Rong Taotao replied, "Often."

Xia Fangran: "..."

’Damn it. I was going to use my special training method to push you to the next level, but this is old news to you?’

Gao Lingwei flattened her palm. A swirl of ice and snow spread out, and a White Lantern Paper Cage slowly rose, hovering and dancing above her head.

In the pitch-black surroundings, there was finally a flicker of light.

Rong Taotao also summoned his own White Lantern Paper Cage, then continued, "My first master was really hard on me. It was common for my weapon to be knocked away. The process of picking it up inevitably meant taking a beating. Then my weapon would get knocked away again, I’d pick it up again, and get beaten again..."